I’m a huge fan of Nick Hornby's books.
I’ve read High Fidelity in my college days and was completely taken by
it. Hornby is known for humour, and this one was no different. This book was primarily
about music, and the happenings in the life of the protagonist. But the one
part that I remember distinctly is that, the hero had a habit of making a top
five list for every little things. For instance, he will make a list of top 5 favourite
movies, top 5 Favourite dialogues, top 5 sad songs.etc. So, after reading the
book I also started doing the same. But like most thing, this lame habit of
mine got lost with time. And, thankfully it did. Though I’ve never been quite
good at listing my favourites, coz after reaching the top 3, I start
floundering.
List or no list. I love music. Starting from Begum Akhtar to Pink Floyd,
I have heard them all. Though, I don’t claim to be an expert in the genre, but
I’ve a decent idea about few of the ones I like. So when I listened to “Mathura
Nagarpati” fromRaincoat
for the 1st time, it blew me away. The lyricist of this song is Rituporno Ghosh, a much acclaimed
director, actor, trans-drsser and what not. So, when I came to know 6 years
back, that he wrote the lyrics in brij bhasha, I was surprised. And I
am still very much besotted to this number. The song is written from the point
of view of one of Lord Krishna’s wife, she is sadly observing the changes in Lord Krishna, who is the King of Mathura, desperate to leave the place
to visit his childhood place, Gokul, to
meet his sweetheart Radha. The song
questions Krishna's reasoning for doing such an act. And the wife’s struggle,
sorrow in knowing that he’ll return to Radha without a backward glance.

Such melancholy, I say!

Here’s the English translation of the song I found on the net.

Subahsubah ka khyaalaajEarly in the morning the thought aroseWapasgokulchalmathuraraajto go back to Gokul, in the king of Mathura's mindMathuranagarpatikaahe tumgokuljaaonOh lord of Mathura why are you going to GokulManoharveshchhod nandraajLeaving this beautiful attire oh son of NandaSar se utaarkesundar taajRemoving the beautiful crown from your headRajdandchhod bhumi par vaaj Giving up ruling this worldPhirkaahebaansuri bajaaoWhy are you playing the flute again?Mathuranagarpatikaahe tumgokuljaaoOh lord of Mathura why are you going to Gokul

Kaunsaanokhageetgaye pee kakool What unique song did the cuckoo singRajpaatjaise aajbhaidhoolThat made you leave the throne like so much dirtKaunsaanokhageetgaaye pee kakool What unique song did the cuckoo singBirhanlaagephir hridayaakoolThat the pangs of separation are stirred anewRajkaaj man na lagaaoThe heart is no longer in kingly mattersMathuranagarpatikkahe tumGokuljaaoOh lord of Mathura why are you going to Gokul

Poor naarisaarivyakul nayanMen and women watched with anxious eyesKusumsajaalage kantakshayanThe flowers strewn on the bed felt like thorns
Poor naarisaarivyakul nayanMen and women watched with anxious eyesRaatbharmadhav jaagatbechainAs Maadhav stayed awake the whole restless nightKaaheaadhiraat saarathibulaayoWhy did he call the charioteer in the middle of the nightMathuranagarpati?..

Tumharipiriyaab purigharvaaliYour love is now a complete housewifeDoodhnavanghivoo din bharkhaali Getting new milk and busy the whole dayBirahakeaansoon kabke,ho kabkeponch daaliThe tears of separation have long since been wiped awayPhirkaahedard jagaaoThen why awaken the pain againMathuranagarpatikaahe tumGokuljaaoOh lord of Mathura why are you going to Gokul